In April 2025, researchers at Northwestern University unveiled a groundbreaking biodegradable pacemaker, measuring approximately 3.5 millimeters—smaller than a grain of rice. Designed for temporary cardiac pacing, particularly in newborns with congenital heart defects, this wireless device can be injected directly into the heart via a syringe, eliminating the need for invasive surgery. It operates in conjunction with an external chest patch that monitors heart rhythms and uses light to communicate with the pacemaker, ensuring synchronized heartbeats. After serving its purpose, the pacemaker harmlessly dissolves within the body, negating the need for removal procedures.

This innovation represents a significant advancement in medical technology, offering a less invasive and more patient-friendly solution for temporary heart rhythm management. By integrating seamlessly with an external chest patch that monitors heart rhythms and communicates via light signals, the pacemaker ensures synchronized heartbeats without the complications associated with traditional devices.

The concept of biodegradable pacemakers is not entirely new. In June 2021, researchers from Northwestern and George Washington universities developed the first-ever transient pacemaker—a wireless, battery-free, fully implantable device that naturally dissolves in the body after its function is fulfilled. This device was primarily intended for patients requiring temporary pacing after cardiac surgery or while awaiting a permanent pacemaker. All components were biocompatible and absorbed into the body's biofluids over five to seven weeks, eliminating the need for surgical extraction.

The 2025 development builds upon this foundation, introducing a pacemaker specifically designed for newborns with congenital heart defects. Its minuscule size allows for injection directly into the heart via a syringe, a method that significantly reduces the invasiveness of the procedure. The device works in tandem with an external chest patch that monitors heart rhythms and uses light to communicate with the pacemaker, ensuring synchronized heartbeats. After serving its purpose, the pacemaker dissolves harmlessly within the body, negating the need for removal procedures.

The introduction of this biodegradable pacemaker holds profound implications for neonatal care. Newborns with congenital heart defects often require temporary pacing solutions. Traditional pacemakers necessitate invasive surgical procedures and subsequent removal surgeries, both of which pose risks to these vulnerable patients. The new device's minimally invasive implantation and self-dissolving nature reduce these risks, potentially leading to better patient outcomes and shorter hospital stays.

Dr. John A. Rogers, a leading researcher in bioresorbable electronics, emphasized the significance of this development:

"Hardware placed in or near the heart creates risks for infection and other complications. Our wireless, transient pacemakers overcome key disadvantages of traditional temporary devices by eliminating the need for percutaneous leads for surgical extraction procedures—thereby offering the potential for reduced costs and improved outcomes in patient care."

Dr. Rishi Arora, a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine, highlighted the device's potential impact:

"Sometimes patients only need pacemakers temporarily, perhaps after an open heart surgery, heart attack, or drug overdose. After the patient’s heart is stabilized, we can remove the pacemaker. The current standard of care involves inserting a wire, which stays in place for three to seven days. These have potential to become infected or dislodged."

Other institutions have also made strides in developing pacemakers suitable for infants. In December 2024, a team at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone successfully implanted the world's smallest pacemaker in a premature infant weighing just 2.5 kg. This device, adapted from Medtronic’s Micra pacemaker, was specially modified to meet the unique needs of the infant.

Similarly, in September 2022, a multidisciplinary team at Norton Children’s Heart Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, performed the first known human implantation of a newly designed tiny pacemaker in a premature infant born at 28 weeks. The patient was too small for traditional pacemakers, prompting the innovative approach.

The development of biodegradable pacemakers tailored for newborns addresses a critical need in pediatric cardiology. By reducing the invasiveness of implantation and eliminating the need for removal surgeries, these devices can decrease healthcare costs, minimize hospital stays, and improve the quality of life for both patients and their families. Moreover, the success of such innovations may pave the way for further advancements in bioresorbable medical devices, potentially transforming treatment approaches across various medical fields.

The advent of a biodegradable pacemaker designed for newborns marks a significant milestone in medical technology. By offering a less invasive, self-dissolving solution for temporary heart rhythm management, this innovation holds the promise of improving outcomes for the most vulnerable patients. As research progresses, such devices may become standard practice, reflecting the profound impact of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing healthcare solutions.